Criticism grows over Colombia's U.S. military plan

Criticism grows over Colombia's U.S. military plan
By Hugh Bronstein
Reuters
Monday, August 3, 2009; 10:03 AM

BOGOTA (Reuters) - A plan to increase U.S. troops in Colombia is drawing opposition not just from left-wing populist leaders in the region but from the moderate governments of Brazil and Chile as well.

The spreading criticism threatens to isolate Colombia from its neighbors as it combats a cocaine-funded insurgency.

The government is expected to sign an expanded U.S. military pact this month after a final round of talks. Colombia, Washington's main ally in the region, says the plan is aimed at strengthening anti-drug efforts.

But leftist Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez accuses the United States of setting up a military platform in Colombia from which to "attack" its neighbors.

Chavez allies in Ecuador, Bolivia and Nicaragua were quick to blast the plan as well. But Colombia was shocked late last week when Chile, a model of free-market policies, and regional heavyweight Brazil voiced concern about the deal as well.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/03/AR2009080300890.html

Alvarito will be going to Peru today (Tuesday) to meet with Garcia. Then on Wednesday and Thursday to talk with Bachelet, Tabare. Lugo, Cristina, and Lula.

He will not be going to see Correa, Chavez is not on the agenda, and so far, neither is Evo.

Alvarito will be talking about those three, now-infamous FARC anti-tank rocket launchers and his reasons for justifying U.S. military bases in Colombia.

It will be a tour "prudent" in information for public opinion, a "mute" tour, according to alvarito's press spokesman. (In other words, alvarito will be catching hell about the gringo bases. I expect the uribistas will stay be silent, but the other leaders will not and all kinds of juicy reports will be leaked.)

Uribito could have saved the Colombian taxpayers a big chunk of money had he waited until Aug. 10 when all those presidents will be meeting in Quito at the UNASUR conference. But he will not go to Ecuador because of "national dignity."

http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/politica/articulo154330-uribe-ofensiva-diplomatica-suramerica

(Note the obvious fear-mongering propaganda in the video.)

and it will end just as badly.